Conveyer



Sept 12, 1944- c. .1. MALHIQT 2,358,292

- coN-VEYER Filed sept. 1s, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 2 Y CZafefzcz (X21/M0247 35 @--/Kmy) 1 Patented Sept. 12, 1944 Clarence J. Malhiot, Oak Park, Ill., assignor toV F. B. Redington Co, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application september 15, 1941, serial No. 410,811

9 claims. (ol. 13s-131) Y invention relates to conveyer structures, particularly of the type adapted for use with packaging machines or the like.

It is an object ofthe invention to provide an improved conveyer structure for conveying articles, packages and the like, wherein the/conveyer pockets or buckets are adjustable to accommodate various size articles or packages.

More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide a conveyer having adjustable pockets or :buckets wherein the pockets give complete support to the articles or packages being conveyed, in all adjusted positions of the pockets. c A further object of the invention is to provide a conveyer structure having adjustable pockets or buckets, wherein vthe adjustable pocket parts are at all times maintained in proper relative po- 1sitions, the parts themselves being shaped and cooperating to maintain their proper predetermined positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a conveyer structure having adjustable of the invention will be apparent Afrom the folwith packaging machines and the/like, and they may comprise a part of a complete packaging machine. For clarity of illustration only a part of the conveyer and its associated structure are shown.

lowing specication when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein one preferred embodiment of the invention is set vforth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout; Fig. l is a partial plan View of a conveyer structure constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the structure of Fig. 1, on the line v2-,2 thereof,

The conveyer comprises more specifically two reaches or sections I2 and I3', in the form of endless chains; and adapted'upon operation to transmit a series of conveyer pockets I4 for receiving articles, packages or the like I5," along a predetermined path as indicated bythe arrow in Fig. 1. The conveyer sections IZ and I3 operatively engage and are driven by sprockets IIS and Il, respectively, which sprockets are in turn adapted to be driven from a drive shaft I8 by means later to be described. In addition' to the driving sprockets I6 and Il, the conveyer sections orv chains also pass over idler sprockets (not shown) at the opposite end of the conveyer structure, as may be readily' understood by those skilled. in the art.

The conveyer section I2 comprises a series of mainlinks I9, Figs. 1 and 2, andY a series of connecting links 20, alternately arranged, and connected by pivot pins 2l whereby to forman endless chain construction. Similarly, the conveyer section f3 comprises a series of main links 22, Figs. 1 and 6, and alternately arranged co-nnecting links 23, pivotally kconnected together by means of pivot pins 24. As will be best understood by reference to Figs. 4 and 5, the main links 22 of the conveyer section I3 are integral with and formed as' a part-of members 25 which constitute the principal elements of the cori-veyer pockets. Similarly, the' main links I9 of Ythe c'onveyer section I-2 are integral with and formed f from the drive shaft i8 is best illustrated in Figs.

with a series of arcuate slots 312, three in number in the particular embodiment illustrated, which slots are adapted to adjustably receive clamping bolts 33. The bolts 33 are threadedly anchored to 'another collar 34 loosely mounted on the shaft I8, which latter collar is fixed to the sprocket I1 by means of a series of bolts 35. It will be seen that by loosening of the bolts 33, the collar 34 and the associated sprocket wheel I1 may be adjusted relative to the collar 30 and the driving shaft I8, through a maximum dista-nce determined by the length of the slots 32. Upon retightening of the bolts the parts will beheld in the adjusted position, and to facilitate the adjustment, collars 3U and 34 may be provided with circumferentially spaced y,wrench-receiving openings 36 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

The driving connection between the sprocket ,I6 and the drive shaft I8 may be of similar character and preferably includes a collar 40 pinned tothe drive shaft by means of a Ypin 4I, the collar being provided with arcuate slots 42 as in the case of the collar 30. Bolts 43 are advjustably received within these slots, the bolts beinganchored to a collar 44 rotatably mounted on the shaft I8, and secured to the sprocket I6 by means of bolts 45. Upon release of the bolts 43 the sprocket I6 and itsY associated rotatably mounted collar 44 may be adjusted with respect to the collar 4i) and the drive shaft I8, as previously described. It will thus be'seen that by ,means ofthe connections provided sprockets I6 and I1 are independently adjustable, through predetermined limits, with respect to the drive y shaft I8. It is to be understood that the drive shaft I8 is driven by suitable power connections,

.in timed relation with the operation of the other parts of the machine.

" The purpose of the adjustment/means for the sprockets I6 and I1 is to permit the adjustment of the conveyer pockets to receive different size karticles or packages,l and the `action will be best understood by a Icomparisoniof Figs.V 2 and 3.

More particularly, as the sprockets I6 and I1 are adjusted relative The details of the pocket forming elements are 'best shown in Figs. 4 and 5,*and it will be seen 'that the pocket structures are so formed that `they provide complete support for the articles or packages, lin all Yadjusted positions. More particularly, the principal'pocket element or member'. 25 is' of generally angular shape and is provided with an upstanding wall-portion 50,

forming the rear or ltrailing pocket wall, and a Ybottom or platform portion IM upon which the Vasacee packages or articles are received. 'he plat form portion is provided with a downwardly sloped beveled front edge 52, and also with two cutouts or openings 53 and 54. The cooperating pocket member 26 is formed with an upstanding wall 55 forming the leading or forward pocket wall portion, and this wall is provided at its lower edge with a beveled surface 56, as also shown in Figs. 2, 3 and'6. Extend- Thus, in Fig. 2 it will be seen that thepo-ckets ',I 4 are adjusted' to receive packages" of a predetermined smaller size, whereas in'Fig., 3 the pockets are adjusted to receive packages of 'a .predetermined larger size.

ing forwardly from the wall are two abutment projections 51 and 58, these projections being in alinement, respectively, with the notches or cut-away sections 53 and 54 of the pocket member 25.

As previously stated, the pocket members 25 and-26 form a complete support for the conveyed articles on at least three surfaces thereof, such support being provided in al1 the adjusted positions of the pockets, for example as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. More particularly, it will be noted that when the pocket members are in operative position, the platform portion 5I of the principal pocket element extends underneath the Wall 55 of the pocket member 26, so that regardless of the adjustment of the parts a complete bottom support for the articles or packages is provided.

The projections 51 and 58, in cooperation with the cutouts 53 and 54 insure the maintenance of the parts in proper alinement in all adjusted positions. To this end it will be seen that the projections and the cutouts interlock with each other, maintaining the pocket elements 25 and 26 in proper relative position at all times, whether during operation of the conveyer, or during the adjustment thereof to change the pocket size. The cut-away portions 53 and 54 of the principal pocket element inA effect form a projection 6l] engageable within a notch 6I formed in the wall surface of the cooperating pocket member 26. Projections 51 and 58 also provide abutment surfaces for limiting the minimum size adjustment of the pocket structures. e

While the pocket elements form a complete bottom support for the articles or packages being conveyed, at the same time the parts are so constructed and arranged as not to interfere with each other in the operative movement of the structure. More particularly, the beveled surface 56A of the pocket member 26 permits the latter to undergo a free, clockwise,-pivotal movement as the sprocket I6 is engaged, whereby to avoid any interference between the pocket parts. The action will be best understood by reference to Fig. 'wherein it will be seen that the beveled surface 56 permits the clockwise pivoting of the pocket member 26 relative to pocket member 25 without interference.

Further, the tapered surface 52 of the pocket vmember 25 insures non-interference between the parts even when the pockets are adjusted to a maximum size. As the pocket members 25 engage the sprocket wheel I1, the forward or leading edge of the platform 5I assumes a circumferential path of travel which is radially spaced from Vthe shaft I8 a somewhat greater distance than the path of travel assumed by the mid-portions of the platform, this action also being best illustrated in Fig. 6. When the pockets are adjusted to maximum size so-that the vertical wall portions 55-of members 26 are in alinement with the forward edges of the platforms 5I, interference would result were it not for the provision of the beveled surfaces 52. These surfaces insure that the pocket members 26 will not be thrust radially outwardly and improperly lifted from the sprocky et wheel I6, even when the pockets are adjusted to maximum size. Y

Similarly, it will be noted that the links I9 are provided on their forward ends with tapered or beveled surfaces 63, Fig. 5. v'Ihese surfaces provide clearance for lthe platforms I as the pocket members engage the sprockets and assume their arcuate path of travel. The tapered surface 63 on each member 26 underlies the portion 5Ia of the platform 5I on the member 25 just ahead. Interference between the parts in the operation of the structure is precluded, in all positions of pocket adjustment.

The particular operating mechanism II set forth for purposes of illustration, is of the type provided for ejecting the packages from the conveyer. It comprises a series of ejector members 65'operatively engageable with the ends ofxthe packages for removing them from position within the article conveyer pockets. During operation of the structure the ejector members 65 are moved along the path of travel of the packages, and at the speed of travel of the packages, and at the same time are thrust into engagement with the package ends to effect the ejecting operation.

To effect the translation of the ejector members along the path of travel of the packages, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. l, the members are mounted, respectively, in brackets 66 formed as a part of a conveyer structure 61. The main links 68 of this conveyer are formed on the bottoms of the brackets 66, and these links together with the connecting links 69 and pivot pins I0 make up an endless chain structure, as in the case of the conveyers I2 and I3. The conveyer is operated by asprocket wheel 'II pinned to shaft I8 by a pin 12, Fig. 7.

The ejector members 65 are mounted for transverse reciprocation within the brackets 66, and to eiect the movement of the ejector members into engagement with the ends of the packages, the members are provided with pins or rollers I3 engageable with a fixed frame cam 'I4 as the ejector members reach the station illustrated in Fig. 1. The adjustment means, heretofore described, for the sprockets I6 and I'I permits the article conveyer pockets I4 to be accurately alined with the ejector members.

It is to be noted that the projections 51 and 58 of each pocket member 26 are sloped downwardly so as to insure a smooth bottom platform in the pocket for receiving the packages, thereby insuring smooth loading and unloading operations. The slope of the projections also permits the tilting of the pocket member 26 around its sprocket without lifting the package from the pocket member 25. In other wordsgthe packages rest fully upon the platform portion 5I of the pocket member 25 which is of coplanar one-piece construction.

The operation of the structure is believed to be clear from the foregoing, but may be briefly summarized as follows: During operation, as the drive shaft I8 is rotated, sprockets I6, I'I and 1I are operated as a unit, causing the operation of the conveyers I2, I3 and 61. The packages or articles I5 are introduced into the conveyer pockets I4, either manually or automatically by means (not shown) arranged at another station of the packaging machine, and as the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 1 the rollers 'I3 of the ejector members 65 engage the stationary cam 'I4 whereby to eject the packages from the conveyer pockets.

'Ihe sprockets I6 and II may be adjusted relative to the drive shaft I8, vso to maintain accurate alinement with the ejector members, .and also for the purpose of varying the size of the article-receiving pockets. The pockets, while so adjustable, provide complete support for at least three sides of the packages, including a fullA bottom support; and the individual parts of the pockets are so constituted and arranged as to permit the proper movement of the conveyer elements in all positions of pocket adjustment. Additionally, the pocket parts are so interlocked and mutually guided that they are maintained at 'all vtimes in proper relative positions.

It is obvious that various changes may be made f size,andrmeans for adjusting said parts, said parts being shaped to provide in all normal positions of adjustment complete support for the articles in at least three planes, said parts in vsaid normal positions of adjustment having overlying portions substantially `in contact and adapted for relative pivotal movement during the operation of the conveyer, and one of said parts being: cut away to provide a substantially knife edge forming a pivot fulcrum between the parts. V2. A conveyer structure for packaging machines and the like comprising a first conveyer section, a second conveyer section, a first pocket member connected to the first conveyer section,

a second pocket member connected to the second conveyer section, and means for adjusting the relative position of the conveyer sections whereby to adjust the relative position of the pocket members to provide pockets of different size, said pockets being of general trough shape and being provided at one longitudinal portion thereof with a bottom portion extending completely across L the pocket in all normal positions oi pocket adjustment, one of said pocket members being cut away to provide a substantially knife edge forming a pivot fulcrum between the pocket members.

3. A conveyer structure comprising a first conveyer section, a second conveyer section, a first pocket member connected to the first conveyer section, a second pocket member connected to the second conveyer section, means for adjusting the relative position of the conveyer sections whereby to adjust the relative position of the pocket members to provide pockets of different size, said pocket members having predetermined portions thereof in substantially operative contact in all normal positions of pocket adjustment, one of f means for adjusting said parts, one of said parts being of .general L-shape whereby to provide a pocket bottom and a pocket side wall on one side thereof, and the other Vof said parts comprising a member in substantial abutting relation with the free end of the pocket bottom in all normal positions of pocket adjustment and adapted to form an opposed side wall Vfor the pocket, one of said parts being cut away to provide avsubstantially knife edge forming a pivot fulcrum between the parts.

5. `A conveyer comprisingr a series of article conveying pockets adaptedtorbe moved along a predetermined path, each of said pockets being formed ofa pair of relatively adjustable parts whereby to provide pockets of variable size, and means for adjusting said parts, one of said parts being of general L-shape whereby to provide a pocket bottom and a pocket side wall on one side thereof, and the other of said parts comprising Va member in substantial abutting relation with the free end of Vthe pocket bottom and adapted to form an opposed side wall for the pocket, the pocket bottom being tapered at the free end thereof to provide a bottom of decreasing thickness toward said free end.

6. A conveyer comprising a series of article elements being provided with a tapered surface whereby ,to maintain the pocket parts in predetermined relative position during the relative movement thereof on operation of the conveyer.

'IQA conveyer comprising a series of article conveying pockets adapted to be moved along a predetermined path, each of said pockets being formed of a pair of relatively adjustable parts whereby to provide pockets of ,variable size, and

means for adjusting said parts, each of said parts being provided with a plurality of interengageable notches and projections adapted to remain in operativev contact inV all positions of pocket adjustment whereby to maintain the pocket parts in predetermined relative position, and ce1'- tain of `said projections being provided with tapered surfaces to provide a proper pocket structurel onY relative movement of the parts during operation4 ofthe conveyer.

8.VA conveyer structure for vpackaging machines and the likecomprising a first conveyer Y section; a second conveyer section, a rst pocket member having integral links forming a longitudinal portion of the rst conveyer section, and

' during the operation of the conveyer, said last namedlinks being provided with out away relieved surfaces to accommodate the relative shiftin g of the pocket members during conveyer operation.

9. A` conveyer comprising a series of article conveying pockets adapted to be moved along a predetermined path, each of said pockets being formed of a pair of relatively adjustable parts whereby to provide pockets of variable size, and means for adjusting said parts, one of said parts being 0f general L-shape whereby to providea pocket bottom and a pocket side wall on one side thereof, and the other of said parts comprising a member in substantial abutting relation with the free end of the pocket bottom and adapted to form an opposed side wall for the pocket, the abutting portion of said last named member being provided with a substantially knife edge whereby to provide for vthe pivoting of said member relative to the pocket bottom during the CLARENCE J. MALHIOT. 

